DANB ICE Disease Transmission & Safety Protocols 2

Question 1

Which route of disease transmission is most significant in dental healthcare settings?

Accepted Answer

Direct contact with blood through percutaneous injury

Answer

Percutaneous injuries (needlestick, sharp instrument cuts) represent the most significant route for bloodborne pathogen transmission in dental settings.

Question 2

What is the primary purpose of Standard Precautions in dental practice?

Accepted Answer

To treat all patients as potentially infectious and prevent pathogen transmission

Answer

Standard Precautions assume all blood, body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may contain transmissible agents regardless of known infection status.

Question 3

When should Transmission-Based Precautions be added to Standard Precautions in a dental office?

Accepted Answer

When a patient has a known or suspected infection requiring additional precautions beyond standard measures

Answer

Transmission-Based Precautions supplement Standard Precautions for specific pathogens spread by contact, droplet, or airborne routes.

Question 4

What is the recommended post-exposure protocol after a dental needlestick injury?

Accepted Answer

Immediately wash the wound, report the incident, seek medical evaluation, and test the source patient

Answer

The protocol includes immediate wound washing, reporting, medical evaluation with baseline blood testing, source patient testing, and potential post-exposure prophylaxis.

Question 5

Which patient should have elective dental treatment deferred for medical evaluation?

Accepted Answer

A patient with active productive cough and unexplained weight loss suggestive of pulmonary TB

Answer

Active pulmonary TB symptoms require deferral because TB transmits via airborne droplet nuclei that standard dental masks cannot filter.

DANB Infection Control Exam Practice Test

DANB Infection Control Exam Practice Test

DANB ICE Disease Transmission & Safety Protocols 2